Amazon, Google partner on first Android phone

Amazon.com said this morning that its MP3 music store will be pre-loaded on the T-Mobile G1, the first phone to be powered by Android.

T-Mobile G1 owners will be able to buy and play music from Amazon MP3, whose songs are DRM-free and thus able to be loaded onto multiple devices. Small catch: Downloading music to the phone requires a Wi-Fi connection.

Reuters reporter Paul Thomasch said in his blog, “Thanks Amazon! The online retailer put out a release this morning with some juicy details about Google’s new mobile phone — even as we’re still waiting for the official unveiling later today.”

Amazon MP3, which is about one year old, has partnered with other companies in promoting its store, including Pandora MySpace Music. Because its songs are DRM-free, Amazon has emerged as a competitor to Apple and its iTunes program. Amazon sells songs — generally — for 89 cents — or usually 10 cents cheaper than iTunes.

Android is an open and free mobile phone platform developed by 30 tech and mobile companies. The effort is being led by Google.

Want to learn more about the T-Mobile G1? Check out this post on Engadget.